Evangelism and discipleship

EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIPThe only reason for church

existence!

Evangelism & Discipleship

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

-- Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15)


18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.“

-- Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20)


THE purpose for the existence of the church

What is a church anyway? From Gk.: Ekklesia – “a called out assembly” A place to live out the life He commanded us A place to share that message in word and deed A community of life and light in a community of

death and darkness

If the church is NOT doing this, can we really call it a “church?”


So what are we to do?

Our mission MUST be translated into the message we bring: To members of our congregation To our children and youth To our community at large To the world around us

But what does that mean in practical terms?


Implications of our Mission and Message

We must share the Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus with every member of our congregation

For encouragementFor the forwarding of the Kingdom of GodFor new people that may be among usFor those of us that may be struggling in faith



We must share the Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus with our children and youth

To teach them that Jesus loves them and what that means to them

To have our children begin their walks as early as possible (they will have a better attitude in struggle)

Our aim is not to “raise good kids,” but rather to make young disciples so they become good kids (Hat tip: Pastor Mark Driscoll)



We must share the Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus with the surrounding community

To be a good witness for Christ to those around us

To attract potential new Christians to a community-based gathering

To demonstrate our care for people (to show the message in deed as well as word)

To maintain good relations with the community around us



We must share the Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus with the world at large

To do the work of the Kingdom of GodTo be faithful to the Lord and do what He saidTo complete the “Great Commission” of Jesus

Christ

How do we do this?


Mission-critical Elements of the Message

The Gospel of Jesus Christ:1. God loves all of Humankind2. All humans have done wrong things3. Jesus paid the penalty on our behalf4. As we believe that He gives us eternal

life



Making Disciples of those who believe (Acts 2):

41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.



Making Disciples of those who believe:1. Apostles’ Teaching – Bible Study2. Fellowship – With God and With each other3. Breaking of Bread – Worship4. Prayer (several kinds of prayer with

specifics)

It is clear that these were BELIEVERS from v.41


A Plan to Grow this Gathering1. Focus on the person and work of Jesus

Christ within the congregation, with our youth, and outside the Church

2. Provide resources to members that want to grow their faith personally (Small group studies and discipleship times, for example)

3. Live the message deliberately, practically, and publicly in everything we do


Implications of this Plan1. It has real costs – money, time, effort,

possible rejection, etc.2. It has real benefits – growth in numbers,

in spiritual gifts, in spiritual capacity, etc.3. We may lose people. (This is sad, and

we want to minimize it, of course!)4. We will gain people that also WANT to be

involved like this.Action leads to results.


THE BIG QUESTION

ARE WE READY?

I am. I hope you will join me.

Spiritual

Evangelism and discipleship